Kiruna: The Arctic city that will be dismantled and rebuilt two miles away

By Andrea Lo, Eoghan Macguire, CNN

Updated 0912 GMT (1712 HKT) November 24, 2017

1 of 14

At risk of cracks from a nearby mine posing a danger to residents, the Swedish town of Kiruna is relocating some of its population, as well as heritage buildings. The Ingengörsvillan, pictured, was moved intact in August 2017. The highway as closed as it made its voyage. Tomas Utsi/www.naturfoto.com

Ingengörsvillan followed in the footsteps of the historic Bläckhorn residential building, pictured here in preparation for its move. (jonassundberg.se / www.instagram.com/lightnw) Jonas Sundberg

A housing unit for employees at the mine, the Arbetarbostaden B5 was the first of Kiruna's heritage buildings to be relocated. Kiruna Municipality

An aerial shot of New Kiruna was taken in August 2017, with the relocated houses in view. (jonassundberg.se / www.instagram.com/lightnw) Jonas Sundberg

Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården, constructed between 1895 and 1909, was moved in September 2017. It was Kiruna's second building to be built. Kiruna Municipality

Other than the relocation project, Kiruna is chiefly known for its northern lights and proximity to the world-famous Ice Hotel. AFP/Getty Images

So how did it all happen? Over a decade ago it was discovered that fissures in the ground are edging their way towards Kiruna. Activity in a nearby mine has caused cracks to appear in the ground near where some people live. Oliver Morin/AFP/Getty Images/File

Thousands of homes and businesses will be moved to a new location over the course of the next 20 years as a result of these developments. OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE

Various services in Kiruna are gradually closing. A sign that announced the closure of the railway station of Kiruna is pictured here in 2015. Balazs Koranyi/Rueters/Newscom

The mine is operated by the state-owned firm LKAB and has been an integral part of Kiruna's 120-year history. It currently employs around 4,000 people and is the backbone of the local economy, according to Goran Cars, head of development at the Kiruna municipality. JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE

A scale model of Kiruna with the area of the city that will be impacted marked within the red wire. JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE

Architects say the new Kiruna will be a massive improvement on the existing town, featuring a new, modern town square like the one depicted in this artist's rendering. Courtesy White Arkitekter AB

The new Kiruna will contain more social spaces, cafes and more scope for cultural activities. Courtesy White Arkitekter AB

By the time the project is finished it is estimated that 3,000 people will have been relocated while a new school, town hall, train station, offices and hotels and will all have been built. Courtesy White Arkitekter AB